Intellectual and social objective are importent to members, but a third objective is equally important: "Identifying and fostering human intelligence for the benefit of humanity." The Mensa Foundation for decades has addressed these objectives by recognizing individuals and accomplishments around the world through its awards programs. Some awards are specifically for Mensa members who contribute to the Foundation's mission, but others recognize the advancement of education and knowledge without membership limits.
This accolade is named after a Mensan who funded a special award to recognize an outstanding creative achievement by a Mensa member. This year, the honor went to KELLY CARTWRIGHT of Tidewater Mensa. Ms. Cartwright, a teacher/researcher, addressed the problem of reading comprehension deficit, a learning problem wherein children can read well, but cannot comprehend what they read. She researched the problem and developed an intervention that uses a graphophonological-semantic cognitive flexibility approach connecting word sounds and meanings. The approach has the potential to impact tens of thousands of students, providing them with an intellectual skill necessary for reading success.
This award program recognizes the application of a Mensan's intellectual abilities that results in a tangible benefit to society. Two awards were presented in 2013—one to an American Mensa member and one to an international member. MATTHEW GUGGEMOS, a licensed speech-language pathologist from San Francisco Regional Mensa, has developed a mobile-interactive-video-self modeling approach that uses existing technology to improve social communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder and/or Social Thinking deficits. ANNA MARIE RONCORONI, from Mensa Italy and the founder of the Italian Association for the Gifted and Talented Children, has spent many years as a gifted children advocate. Her concern was that, while attention was concentrated on children with problems, the assumption was that gifted children could make it on their own. After networking with others in Mensa, she began developing various programs and educational tools for teachers and students.
This award recognizes a teacher, professor, or instructor at any educational level who has had an especially positive influence on the education or life of a Mensa member. This year's honor was awarded to JOHN OTTERSTEDT, a third grade teacher at Hawes Elementary School in Ridgewood, N.J. Mr. Otterstedt was nominated and selected for this award based on an essay by Michael Feeney of Northwest New Jersey Mensa. In his essay Mr. Feeney states, "I find in Mr. O the very embodiment of the idea that there is always something new to be learned! I also am reminded that a teacher touches a student's life forever."
These awards are given internationally for outstanding research on intelligence, intellectual giftedness, and related fields. The 2013 awards were presented to DAVID LUBINSKI, GREGORY PARK, Vanderbilt University; DAVID RUTOWSKI, Indiana University; JOHNATHAN WAI, MATTHEW C. MAKEL, Duke University; RENA F. SUBOTNIK, American Psychological Association; JOSEPH S. RENZULLI, University of Connecticut; and JOHN D. MAYER, University of New Hampshire.
This honor, awarded to American and international residents in alternating years, is presented in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the field of intelligence and related subjects. Since the 2013 awardee of this prestigious honor is being kept secret until it is presented…shhhhh.
Application deadlines for these awards are approaching. You or someone you know may deserve the recognition associated with them. More information is available here. These awards are available because of the generosity of member donations. You can help with your unrestricted donation to the Mensa Foundation, or contact the Foundation Director.